University Health Services Confirms Four Cases Of The Mumps

The four students with confirmed cases have recovered and are no longer considered infectious, per the release.

The students were isolated in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Health protocols and recommendations. The university is also in the process of notifying other individuals that may have come in contact with those infected.

This is the second-straight February that cases of the mumps have been confirmed on campus. Last year, upwards of 30 cases of the mumps were reported. With the first confirmation of these cases falling in this same time frame, THON sent out a health alert that urged “anyone who has been in close contact with a student confirmed or suspected of having mumps is asked not to attend, even if they are not showing symptoms.”

Penn State is encouraging anyone who develops mumps-like symptoms not to attend THON and to contact UHS at 814-863-4463. Symptoms of mumps include tender swollen glands below the ear or along the jawline, headache, fever, and cold-like symptoms, and those who contract the virus are infectious for two days before the swelling begins through five days after the start of the swelling. People are commonly administered two doses of the mumps vaccine before their first birthday, though this is not always the case for a number of reasons.

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Steve Connelly is a junior majoring in PR and an editor for Onward State. He is a proud native of the state of New Jersey, and yes, he is literal trash. He is a soccer fan, nap enthusiast, and chicken tender connoisseur. He tried to be a photographer once, but the only good thing that came out of it is a name for his future sports bar, The Blurry Zamboni. You can follow him on Twitter @slc2o (feel free to slide) and email him at [email protected]